Electrical connector



March 2, 1965 c. H.' MEILE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR Filed Dec. 30, 1960 March 2, 1965 c, H. MElLE 3,171,704

ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR Filed Dec. 30. 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 45 LZ: Ef. 7.

"2 III /l/ I///J/// @A6 United tats ate 3,171,74 ELECTRECAL CONNECTOR Carl H. Meile, indian Head larlr, ill., assigner to international Harvester Company, Chicago, lll., a corporation of New lersey Filed Dec. 36, E960, Ser. No. 79,873 6 Claims. {(Il. 339-75) ri`his invention pertains to electrical connectors and is especially, though not exclusively, applicable to connectors of the quick-connect type.

The making of electrical connections in the arctic or under frigid temperature conditions has always constituted a difficult problem because or" the presence of frost or ice on the connector contact elements which prevents or reduces the electrical tlow therebetween. ln the case of national defense or civilian emergencies especially, the making of quick connections which will without fail provide full electrical flow at the very outset may be vital.

lt is accordingly a primary object of the invention to provide an electrical connector which will automatically allow the passage of the full electrical ilow at the moment of attachment of the two connector halves in spite of a coating of insulating frost or ice on the connector contact elements prior to the attachment.

Another object of paramount importance is to provide an electrical connector which automatically makes a good electrical connection for the passage of the full electrical flow immediately and merely upon attachment of the connector halves in spite of ia coating of frost or ice on the Contact elements thereof reliably Without fail each time the connector halves are attached.

Another object of greatest importance is to provide an electrical connector as above set forth which can be quiclily attached in only a moment and locked in attached relation, without the use of tools of any sort and only by the use of the connector halves themselves.

Another important object `of the invention is to provide an electrical connector construction as above set forth which is suitable for use in the transmission of power where there is heavy current or in the supplying of electrical energy to instruments where the potential is measured in millivolts with assurance of passage of the intended current.

A further important object is to provide an electrical connector as above set forth in a preferred form, in which there is controlled cleaning of the frost or ice from the Contact elements without damage to the elements.

Still another object is to provide an electrical connector construction as above set forth in which any number of electrical connections can be simultaneously made.

Y et another object is to provide an electrical connector as above set forth which is inexpensive, light in weight, and easily manufactured.

Other objects and features of the invention will appear from the following description, read with .the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIGURE l is a front elevational view of a preferred form of connector according to the present invention shown locked in the fully connected current-passing condition thereof;

FGURE 2 is a front elevational view partly in section of the female part of the connector of FIGURE l;

FIGURE 3 is an end elevational view of the connector part of FGURE 2 as seen from the right in that figure;

FGURE il is an end elevational view of the connector part of FlGURE 2 as seen from the left in that figure;

FlGURE 5 is a front elevational view partly in section of the male part of the connector of FIGURE l;

FIGURE 6 is an end elevational view of the connector part of FIGURE 5 as seen from the left in that figure;

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged diagrammatic View showing the relation of the contacts to each other; and

FGURE. 8 is a front elevational view of another form of connector according to the present invention shown in the process of melting the connection.

Referring to the drawing gures in detail, the numeral l generally designates the female part of the connector while the numeral 2 generally designates the male part of the connector.

Considering the female connector portion ll rst, this portion has a core 3 of laminated construction consisting ot spaced, parallel metal plates d of conductive material and interposed plates S of non-conductive material, the plates el and 5 being bonded together to form Ithe integral core El. A screw 6 is provided in the end of each of the metal plates 4 in threaded holes therein for connection to an electrical wire of a multiwire cable '7.

A mountable and removable casing l of non-conductive material, such as phenol resin or other plastic material, extends around all sides of the core 3 except the front, .as indicated in the drawing. The casing 9 lits snugly on the core, being retained thereon by frictional engagement with the same. If desired, the casing 9 may be more positively aixed to the core 3 by the use of a bolt, not shown, extending through an opening passing transversely through the core, the openings in the metal plates 4 being larger than the bolt to prevent contact of the latter with the plates i and consequent shorting-out of the electrical circuit. The casing 9 is provided with inwardly projecting lugs l which limit the axial movement of the casing 9 towards the right as seen in FIGURE 2, during mounting of the same on the bore portion. The casing 9 is apertured through its rear wall l2 for passage of the multiwire cable 7 therethrough so as to permit the above mentioned connections of the wires to the metal plates 4. The casing 9 is also preferably provided with a threaded extension 13 for receiving a conventional clamp type fastening means lli, which latter fastener also secures the casing 9 against axial movement towards the left as seen in FIGURE 2.

Each of the conductor plates 4 terminates at the forward end in an arcuate surface l5 for a purpose to be pointed out hereinafter. The opposite sides 16 and 17 of the casing 9 and the plates 5 of non-conductive material extend forwardly beyond the arcuate surfaces l5 of the electrical conductor plates d to the forward end of the connector half at i8, thus forming three pockets 19. The side portions 16 and i7 and plates 5 each are further provided with a projecting portion 2li at the forward end provided with a bore 2l which tightly receives in press t relation a pin 22 therethrough, the pin being constructed of non-conductive material.

The opposite sides 16 and i7 of the casing 9 and also the plate portions S are further recessed slightly at 24 between the arcuate surfaces l5 of the metal plates 4 and the forward projecting portions Ztl leaving circular raised bosses 25, for a purpose which will appear below. The bottom wall of the casing 9 terminates at the forward end, along the entire extent thereof between the side walls 16 and i7, in the edge 26 in order to permit the downward projection of the portions Ztl therepast and also in order to permit the connection of the two connector halves l and 2, as will become clear below.

The male connector portion 2 is of similar construction to the portion 1, having a core 28 consisting of a plurality of spaced, parallel metal plates 29 of conductive material and interposed plates 30 of non-conductive material, all suitably bonded together to form the integral core. A casing 32 of non-conductive material and similar to the casing 9 extends around the core 23 in snug, frictionally tight relation thereon, extending around the core on all sides except the front or end facing the other connector portion 1. The casing 32 is mountable and removable from the core as is the casing 9 and may also be secured to the core by the use of a bolt as mentioned in connection with the connector portion 1, if deemed desirable. The casing 32 also includes inwardly projecting lugs 34 to limit movement of the casing to the left as seen in FlG- URE when mounting it on the core. The casing 32 also extends considerably beyond the core 28 to the right `as seen in FIGURE 5 so as to provide space for making the electrical connection of the multiwire cable 36 extending through the end wall thereof to the metal plates 29 by means of screws 37 in the same manner as described in connection with the conector part 1. The

j casing 32 is also provided with a threaded extension 39 for reception of a conventional clamp type cable fastener 40 which also secures the casing against the stop elements 34.

In the connector portion 2, the opposite side walls 42 and 43 of the casing 32 and also all of the portions of the core consisting of the metal plates 29 and non-conductive plates 30 extend forwardly into a ilush relation at 45. The conductor plates 29 additionally extend forwardly or towards the connector portion 1 at the top and bottom at 45 and 47, respectively, to forni electrical contact elements and mechanical attachment elements, respectively. The contact elements or prongs 46 are of curved form, each having an arcuate upper surface 49 and being of gradually decreasing extent towards the outer end forming a relatively sharp prow or point 5t) extending transversely across its thickness. As can be seen from FIGURE 1, the Contact elements 46 are received within the pockets 19 of the female connector portion 1 in the connected current passing condition of the electrical connector `and are of `such length as to be `conveniently received within said pockets with ample clearance beyond the ends or points 5t) thereof. It should be evident from FIGURE 1 -that the respective contact elements 45 :are in contact with the respective conductor plates 4 of the female connector portion 1 in the connected condition of the connector so as to provide electrical connections between the respective wires of the electrical cables '7 and 36 through the connector device of the invention.

The lower projecting portions 47 of the conductor plates 29 of the male portion 2 extend forwardly in the form of open hooks for passage between the opposite sides 16 and 17 and the plates 5 of the female connector portion 1 and engagement with the pin 22 thereof when held in the position indicated by means of phantom lines in FIGURE 8; the pin 22 being passed 'through the opening 52 of each of the attachment elements 47. When the connector portion 2 is so placed on the pin 22 of the connector portion 1, the ends 50 of the curved prongs or pins 46 are just outside of the receiving pockets 19 of the female connector portion 1. It should be evident that upon counterclockwise rotation of the male connector portion -2 about the pin 22 of the other connector por tion the open attachment .hooks 47 are rotated so as to place the openings 52 thereof at the bottom and the` prongelements 46 are moved into the receiving pockets 19 and into engagement with the arcuate surfaces 15, thus to attach or interlock the connector portions 1 and 2 together when the portion Z is rotated as far as it can go placing the front surface 45 thereof in abutting engagement with the front surface 18 of the portion 1 which establishes a straight line relation 'between the two connector portions. Y

In order'to lock the connector portions 1 and 2 in the straight line interconnected relation to each other, a longitudinally slidable, rectangular band member 55, which prior to the locking action is frictionally retained on the connector portion 1 as shown in FIGURE 2, is moved to the right las seen in the figures across the juncture of the two portions 1 and 2 into the position shown in FIGURE 1 in abutting engagement with the outwardly projecting means 56 of t'ne -connector portion 2. To

. 4 frictionally secure the locking slide member 55 in the locked position, as well as in the unlocked position as seen in FIGURE 2, a plurality of raised elements 57 is provided in the outer surface of the connector portion 1.

Each of the opposite sides 42 and 43 and also the plates 30 of the core 28 of the male connector portion 2 are rearwardly arcuately relieved at @il so as to permit reception of the projecting portions 20 of the connector portion 1. Y

Referring to FlGURE 7, r1 designates the radius or" the curved socket surfaces 15 of the female socket portion 1 of the connector While r2 designates the radius of the outer arcuate surfaces 49 of the contact elements or prongs 46 prior to insertion of the latter wit-hin the pockets 19 of the connector portion 1 or the radius of the surfaces 49 within the pockets 19 if the contact elements 45 were not distorted by the socket surfaces 15, as will be pointed out below. It is evident from FIGURE 7 that `the centers of these two radii are on the same horizontal line and the center of r1 is offset or spaced to the right of the center of r2. ln addition to the offset relation of the centers, r1 is somewhat greater than r2. The difference of location of the centers and di'iference of length of the radii provide an intersection of the arcs 15 and 49 at 63 with the arc 15, representing the curvature of the socket surfaces, extending increasingly inwardly, from the intersection point downwardly to the horizontal line through the centers of the radii, of the arc 49, representing the curvature of the outer surface of the contact elements 45 in the unstressed, undeflected condition of the latter. The increasing divergence of the arcs below the intersection point 63 provides an increasing interference between the Contact surfaces 49 of the prongs and the surfaces 15 of the socket. As the curved prongs 45 are rotated against the socket surfaces 15 meeting the progressively increasing interference, the prongs are resiliently deflected inwardly to produce a certain pressure against the socket surfaces which, together with the sharp plowalike cutting edges Stb across the ends of the prongs, effectively removes any frost or ice on the contact surfaces 15 and d of the connector portions 1 and 2, respectively.

The amount of pressure exerted by the curved, resilient prong elements 46 against the socket surfaces 15 can be established and determined by the location of the centers of the radii r1 and r2 and the relative lengths of the radii, together with the composition of the material employed in the conductor plates 2Q of the connector portion 2 of which the prongs 46 are a part and also the thicknessand radial extent 'of the prongs. The relation between the connector prongs 46 and receiving socket surfaces 15 can vary from light contact to a relatively heavy scraping action for different types of service. In the preferred form of the invention the contact is relatively light so as not to produce appreciable wear to the socket portion 15 even with great use yet producing effective cleaning action, but if stronger scraping action is desired, this can be provided.

As previously indicated, the present connector construction is suitable for use both for the transmission of power in which there is heavy current and for supplying delicate instruments with'electrical energy, in the former case the parts being very large and heavy and otherwise adapted for such use Vand in the latter case the parts being very light and the contact elements even being constructable of silver for instance.

It should be evident that the sector shaped pockets 19 of the connector portion 1 together with the relieved portions 24 provide ample space for the insertion and interlocking rotation of the prongs 46 and accompanying removal of frost and ice which falls loosely to the bottom of the respective pockets out of the way. In this connection it should be noted that the widths of the prongs 46 are equal to the widths of the conductor plates 4 of the connector portion 1 and less than the overall widths of the pockets 1% including the recesses 24 so as to provide clearance for any necessary passage of frost or ice around the sides of the prongs 46 during movement of the latter into clean, positive electrical contact with the conductor plates 4.

Although the center of the radius of the socket surface l5 has been depicted in FIGURE 7 as being offset to the right of the radius of the outer surface of the prongs 46 and also as being somewhat larger than the latter radius, this is not essential to the present invention inasmuch as other arrangements can be had which will give the necessary interference below a suitable intersection point such as point 63. First of all, where a larger rl is selected relative to r2, the center of r1 may be to the right of the center of r2 and provide interference as indicated. rl may be of the same length as r2, in which case the center of rl must be to the right of the center of r2 and preferably thereabove. r1 may also be smaller than r2, in which case the center of r1 must be above the center of r2 and preferably relatively substantially thereabove. In all these cases, interference can be provided between the socket surfaces and surfaces 49 of the prongs, such interference being initiated within the socket portion so as to allow entry of the ends 50 of the prongs 46 before resistance and deflection begin. In selecting the relative lengths of the radii and the location of their centers, the extent of the interference must not be so great as to prevent movement of the prongs along the socket surfaces or produce excessive friction and damage to the contact surface.

Although the contact surfaces 49 of the prongs and 15 of the socket portion have been described as being arcuate, these surfaces may be of any suitable form, the principle of operation being basically the provision of interference as the curved prongs l46 are moved within the female connector part l in engagement with the socket surfaces 15 to produce a certain pressure against such `surfaces which together with a pointed front or prow portion of the prongs clears away any frost or ice to provide clean interengaging surfaces for the transmission of the full amount of current through the connector for proper operation of equipment, such as electrical motors, at the instant of making the connection so as not to burn out or otherwise damage such equipment which it may be desired to employ very quickly, as may be the case in the armed services or in emergency civilian use.

Although three electrical connections are provided in the disclosed construction by the three prongs 45 and three conductor plates 4 of the female connector part 1, any number of electrical connections within the limits of practicability can be provided, ranging from only a single connection to a large number of the same.

FIGURE 8 discloses a slightly modified form of connector in which the outer contact surfaces 69 of the prongs 46 are serrated to provide further assurance of positive electrical Contact between the prongs and socket surfaces 15. Such arrangement produces accelerated wear but may be desirable in installations in which connections are relatively infrequently made or in which long life of the connector is not important,

Although only the prongs of the male connector portion of the above disclosed connector have been provided with sharp terminal edges for the frost and ice plowing action, the socket surfaces l5 may also terminate in sharp edges at or near the point of initial contact with the prongs if deemed desirable to assure complete cleaning of the prong surfaces.

It should, of course, be understood that the present connector can be employed in any position whatsoever and that such terms as upperf bottom, right, and the like are merely relative to the position of the connector shown in the drawing.

Although certain forms of the invention have been disclosed, it should be understood that the same may take many forms and the disclosed construction may be modified in many particulars, and it is accordingly desired to be limited in the appended claims only by the terms thereof construed in the broad spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. In an electrical connector, the combination comprising a first connector portion having a conductor element with a surface of substantial concavity, a second connector portion having a conductor element with a surface of substantial convexity, means between the two connector portions providing for pivotal movement between said portions from a first condition thereof in which the surfaces of substantial concavity and convexity are out of contact with each other to a second condition thereof in which said surfaces are in engagement with each other for passage substantially of the full intended electrical current, the surfaces of substantial concavity and convexity being of such form and disposition relative to each other as to provide increasing tightness therebetween after initial contact between the surfaces in the course of relative movement between said portions from said first condition to said second condition thereof and upon at least appreciable continued relative movement between said portions after said initial contact in the same direction as before said initial contact, at least one of the connector portions having an edge for continuous contact against said surface of the other of the connector portions during relative movement between said connector portions from said first condition to said second condition thereof after at least slight movement from said first condition and at the latest upon said initial contact between said surfaces of the connector portions, whereby to establish said second condition of said connector portions in which said surfaces thereof are in engagement with each other for passage substantially of the full intended electrical current in spite of the presence of frost or ice on said surfaces prior to the establishment of said second substantially full current passing condition of said connector portions, one of said conductor elements comprising a curved prong with the outer curved surface of the prong being the surface of substantial convexity of one of the conductor elements, the prong having a relatively pointed end forming an edge which is said edge -of one of the connector portions, the prong being resiliently deectible at least along the portion thereof in engagement with said surface of the other of said conductor elements when the connector portions are in said second condition thereof, whereby to provide a certain pressure against said surface of the other of said conductor elements for said increasing tightness between said surfaces of the connector portions, during relative movement between said portions after said initial contact between the surfaces, together with the form and disposition of the surfaces relative to each other.

2. In an electrical connector, the combination comprising a first connector portion having a conductor element with a surface of substantial concavity, a second connector portion having a conductor element with a surface of substantial convexity, means between the two connector portions providing for pivotal movement between said portions from a rst condition thereof in which the surfaces of substantial concavity and convexity are out of contact with each other to a second condition thereof in which said surfaces are in engagement with each other for passage substantially of the full intended electrical current, the surfaces of substantial concavity and convexity being of such form and disposition relative to each other as to provide increasing tightness therebetween after initial contact between the surfaces in the course of relative movement between said portions from said first condition to said second condition thereof and upon at least appreciable continued relative movement between said portions after said initial contact in the same direction as before said initial contact, at

least one of the connector portions having an edge for Acontinuous 'contact Vagainst said .surface of the other of the connector portions during relative movement between said connector portions from said'iirst 'condition -to said second condition Athereof after at yleast slight movement from said rst condition and at the latest upon said initial contact between said surfaces of the con nector portions, whereby to establish said second condition of said connector'portions in which said surfaces vthereof are in engagement with each other for passage 4substantially of the full intended electrical current in spite of the presence of frost or ice on said surfaces prior to the establishment Yof said second substantially full current .passing condition of said connector portions, said means between the two connector portions providing for pivotal movement between said portions from said second condition thereof toV said rst condition thereof and the connector portions being otherwise so movable, so as to break the electrical contact between the conductor elements, said means between the two connector .portions providing for separation of the portions from each other when the portions are in saidlirst condition thereof, said means between the two connector portions together with the interengagement Abetween the two conductor elements when the connector portions are in said second condition thereof providing for attachment of the two connector portions.

3. in an electrical connector, the combination coinprising a first connector member having a curved surface, a'second connector member having a flexible endA portion tapered to an edge, means engaging said memers for relative pivotal movement, said members being oriented upon engagement such that upon initial movenient said edge approaches said curved surface at an acute angle relative to the tangent to said curved sur- `face at the point of rstcontact between .said edge and said curved surface, said end portion being shaped ,and arranged such that upon continued movement said edge scrapes said curved surface and said end portion flexes to the shape .of said curved surface, whereby to provide an ice-free and tight electrical contact between said members.

4. In an electrical connector according to claim 3, said curved surface being concave, said end portion having a convex surface which conforms to the shape of said 'concave ysurface when said end portion is flexed.

5. VIn an electrical connector according to claim 3, said means Vengaging said members lbeing a detachable pivotal joint.

6. In an electrical connector according to claim 3, said end portion having a rough surface which conforms to the shape of said curved surface when said end portion kis iiexed.

ReferencesCited in the le of this patent UNTED STATES PATENTS 448,847 Leakin Mar. 24, 1891 911,854 Upson et al Feb. 9, 1909 1,734,810 letters Nov. 5, 1929 1,935,061 Richards Nov. 14, 1933 2,975,393 Martin Mar. 14, 1961 2,975,395 Sitz Mar. 14, 1961 Y FOREIGN PATENTS 268,308 italy Oct. 11, 1929 

3. IN AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR, THE COMBINATION COMPRISING A FIRST CONNECTOR MEMBER HAVING A CURVED SURFACE, A SECOND CONNECTOR MEMBER HAVING A FLEXIBLE END PORTION TAPERED TO AN EDGE, MEANS ENGAGING SAID MEMBERS FOR RELATIVE PIVOTAL MOVEMENT, SAID MEMBERS BEING ORIENTED UPON ENGAGEMENT SUCH THAT UPON INITIAL MOVEMENT SAID EDGE APPROACHES SAID CURVED SURFACE AT AN ACUTE ANGLE RELATIVE TO THE TANGENT TO SAID CURVED SURFACE AT THE POINT OF FIRST CONTACT BETWEEN SAID EDGE AND SAID CURVED SURFACE, SAID END PORTION BEING SHAPED AND ARRANGED SUCH THAT UPON CONTINUED MOVEMENT SAID EDGE SCRAPES SAID CURVED SURFACE AND SAID END PORTIONS FLEXES TO THE SHAPE OF SAID CURVED SURFACE, WHEREBY TO PROVIDE AN ICE-FREE AND TIGHT ELECTRICAL CONTACT BETWEEN SAID MEMBERS. 